Which acrylic bathtub is better to choose??

With so many options, selecting the ideal acrylic bathtub for your bathroom can be difficult. Acrylic bathtubs are becoming more and more popular because of their low cost, strength, and variety of designs. However, how can you determine which one best suits your requirements?

When choosing an acrylic bathtub, there are a few things to think about. These consist of the tub’s dimensions and form, thickness, the caliber of the acrylic material, and extra features like built-in seats or jetted spas. Making an informed decision that suits your preferences and budget will be made easier if you are aware of these factors.

We’ll walk you through the key factors to take into account when selecting an acrylic bathtub in this post. We will also offer suggestions based on different requirements and tastes, so you can choose between a practical, low-cost choice and an opulent, spa-like experience.

Durability, style, and cost are all important considerations when selecting an acrylic bathtub. Seek for a tub with non-porous surface that is stain-resistant and easy to clean, along with reinforced layers for increased strength and longevity. Make sure it fits the design of your bathroom and satisfies your comfort requirements by paying attention to the size and shape. For added convenience and safety, look for features like integrated armrests or non-slip surfaces. You can choose the best acrylic bathtub that blends style, comfort, and functionality by carefully weighing these factors.

Criterias of choice

Every buyer selects baths based on specific criteria. Among them are:

• the price of the bowl is for Russian consumers one of the main characteristics of purchased plumbing fixtures;
• the thickness of the acrylic bathtub, or rather its walls, directly affects the service life of the product;
• material – determines the strength of the font and its durability;
• dimensions. In modern homes, where you can install a bathtub of any size, the length and depth of the bowls create comfortable conditions for taking water procedures. In “Khrushchev” and similar series of old houses, there is a different task: placing a bathtub in a limited space. Here, the small area of ​​bathrooms and combined bathrooms dictates the size of the plumbing fixtures;
• shape – affects the interior design of the room;
• strength – determines the service life of the product;
• the presence of additional options – affects the bathing conditions.

Price factor

An acrylic bowl can be purchased for 3.5 thousand rubles or more than 850.0 thousand rubles. Let us remind you right away of a widely held belief: good things cannot be inexpensive. As a result, you should rule out options for bathtubs that cost more than $10,000. It is a combination. It has a five-year service life.

In this instance, issues with the inner surface will arise after a few years; it will start to become foggy and rub through to the plastic layer underneath (regular maintenance wears off the acrylic coating, which in inexpensive options is only 0.2-0.3 mm). Professionals therefore advise against buying an expensive steel bathtub because they will last longer and require less maintenance.

There are two price ranges in which to select acrylic bathtubs:

• composite – in the range of 10.0-14.0 thousand. rub. (more expensive composite models are inferior in comparison with inexpensive plumbing fixtures made of cast acrylic, and therefore the option of purchasing bowls made of pure acrylic for a slightly higher price seems more practical);
• cast acrylic – 20.0-30.0 thousand. rub.

There are no cost constraints when using publicly funded resources; you are free to select any bathtub that suits your preferences in terms of size, shape, and extra options.

Thickness

The wall thickness of acrylic bathtubs is the most significant performance indicator in a special circumstance that exists in the construction sector. This criterion for evaluation lags behind the heat capacity even for all types of insulation. However, the main point is that the strength of the product and its price are both determined by the thickness of the bowl in plumbing fixtures. Following the logic, it makes sense to state that the criterion determines how long the bathtub will last. Ultimately, a product composed of a thicker material is stronger and, thus, more durable; this is a fact that any reasonable person with a clear memory can comprehend.

Here’s where the unwary buyer is in for a surprise. For bathtubs made of acrylic, things are a little different. As a result, the lifespan of a composite acrylic bathtub with 5 mm thick walls will be nearly halved compared to a 4 mm thick cast acrylic bowl. Thus, you should consider the cut before investing in the model you like. This is an extruded material if it has three layers: an inner layer of acrylic, a middle layer of ABS plastic, and an outer layer of reinforcing material. These plumbing models are incredibly strong, but their lifespan is limited. Two layers of all-acrylic bathtubs.

As a result, there ought to be two entirely distinct methods for determining the wall thickness.

1. In composite bowls, it is not the very thickness of the material from which the bath is made (although it is also worth paying some attention to this), and the size of the acrylic layer on the surface. Ideally should be 0.4-0.5 mm. But it is impossible to check this in practice. Therefore, manufacturers on this topic do not bother, putting on the sale of products with a coating layer of 0.2-0.3 mm.
2. Baths of pure acrylic with a wall thickness of 5-7 mm will last 15-20 years, 4-5 mm-10-15 years, up to 4 mm-about 10 years (depending on the frequency of receiving water procedures). You can get accurate data only by measuring the wall in the area of ​​the cut opening under the overflow. The sides show the original thickness of the sheet (during the vacuum forming process the sheet is stretched, becoming thinner), and at the drainage point there is an average value of the thickness between the sides and the walls (the bottom does not stretch so much).

Dimensions

There are two reasons why the dimensions of acrylic bathtubs matter.

1. In Soviet-built houses, the area of ​​combined bathrooms and toilets is limited. Therefore, for such premises, first of all you need to look at whether the purchased plumbing will fit into the space vacated by the old bathroom.
2. The length, width and depth of the bowl influence the conditions for taking water procedures – correctly selected sizes make it possible to lie in the bath very comfortably.

The following are the ideal bowling parameters, as advised by ergonomic specialists:

• the height of the side above the floor level is 60-70 cm. Such values ​​are ideal for all family members: children, adults, old people;
• depth – 50-60 cm (measured from the bottom overflow point to the drain). When studying this parameter, you need to take into account that a shallow bathtub does not allow you to immerse the entire body of a bathing person in the water, and a too deep bathtub is uncomfortable due to the position of the head – it is inconvenient to hold above the surface of the water;
• length – 150-180 cm. Selected to match the height of the tallest person in the family and must match him. If there is a headrest, the length can be reduced by 10-15 cm;
• width – 80-100 cm. For obese people, the parameter increases by 10 cm.

The images below do a good job of illustrating how comfortable a bathtub’s length is for the average person.

Note: picture sourced from public domain. Sadly, there is a serious mistake on it: because the overflow is hidden, the depth does not match reality.

• the specific dimensions of the font are influenced by the height and physique of the owners. Indeed, in a standard bathtub (length 170 cm), a tall person will either sit or lie with his legs bent;
• The given figures allow you to understand how to choose the right acrylic bathtub in terms of dimensions for the owner’s physique.

Form

Home bath bowls can be made into a vast array of shapes thanks to the malleability of polymer materials. Vacuum thermal molding is used to create castings. A sheet of cast acrylic that is 7-8 mm thick cannot be used to create complex shapes with this production technique because the raw materials cannot replicate all of the template’s bends. As a result, keep in mind that plumbing fixtures with intricate geometry have walls that are only 3–4 mm thick, which increases the likelihood of deformation and mechanical damage. If this doesn’t bother you, you can have an intriguing bathroom design because of the early styles of plumbing fixtures.

Demand analysis reveals that bathtubs in the traditional rectangular shape continue to be the most popular. Corner baths with both symmetrical and asymmetrical bowls come in second. They are primarily purchased for older homes because they allow you to "squeeze" a large plunge pool into a constrained area.

Oval and round plumbing fixtures need a lot of room to be installed, so they can only be placed in large rooms. These kinds are also in demand since they are unique and rare.

The majority of purchases of the other bowl casting options are made for design projects.

Strength

Although the composite material used to make acrylic bathtubs is more advanced than pure acrylic in this regard, the material itself lacks sufficient strength for use. As a result, fiberglass that has been dissolved in epoxy resin or polyurethane foam (PPU) is used to reinforce the exterior of the bowl. Here are some things to think about:

• Using polyurethane foam to strengthen the body of a bathtub allows you to obtain more durable products that are completely safe for human health. The problem is the higher cost of reinforcement;
• polyurethane resins in combination with fiberglass are not inferior in strength to polyurethane foam. Much cheaper. A persistent, pungent chemical odor inhibits application;
• Epoxy resins with dissolved glass fiber have an affordable price, there are no problems with environmental friendliness, but the strength is also lower. Therefore, if it is necessary to increase the strength of the font, several reinforcing layers of epoxy are applied or polyurethane foam is used, which is almost equivalent in strength and price.

Additionally, some Russian manufacturers use chipboard linings to reinforce the walls and bottom of composite baths, which are then coated with epoxy resin. Experts classify these items as inferior bathtubs (extremely inexpensive).

You can use the flashlight on your smartphone to assess the reinforcement’s quality. It is thought that transparency is inappropriate for the sides. But theoretically only. In actuality, even well-known brands are struggling. Hopefully, they are aware of the products they are selling to the customer.

Additional options

Acrylic bathtubs, as opposed to cast iron ones, let you install a wide range of extra options:

• headrests;
• pens;
• different stands;
• aero- and hydromassage, turning the bathtub into a jacuzzi. In this case, the nozzles can rotate, changing the direction of the jets;
• diode lighting that tints water jets in certain colors, which in combination with hydro and aeromassage enhances the beneficial effects of water procedures on the human body (the experts who proposed such a lighting system claim that it has anti-inflammatory properties and also stimulates blood circulation);
• built-in plasma TVs, game consoles, telephones, speakers for listening to music, etc.d.;
• connection via Wi-Fi to the smart home system and much more.

When purchasing a bathtub with extra features, keep in mind that only reputable brands offer premium aftermarket options.

We examined the standards by which the superior quality of acrylic bathtubs is determined. Knowing ahead of time which manufacturers are the best can make the process easier.

Manufacturers rating

When creating our own ranking of acrylic bathtub producers, the StroyGuru website.Com editors started with the knowledge that:

• there is no clear leader and there cannot be. Each company has its own advantages and disadvantages, which a particular buyer can simply turn a blind eye to;
• cast acrylic products are generally better than those from foreign manufacturers, which affects the cost of plumbing fixtures;
• Russian-made composite bowls are in many cases no worse than imported bathtubs, and are much cheaper in price. Therefore, companies from Russia are also included in the rating, despite the fact that in most cases the compilers of various TOPs ignore them, and the reviews are not always positive;
• their rating was based on sales in the countries of the former Soviet Union (does not coincide with the estimated rating of buyers and specialists).

The Czech Republic’s "Ravak" Based on sales figures, the plumbing products manufactured by the Czech company Ravak are the most sought-after in the historical European market. In Russia, the company’s hot tubs are highly popular. Cast acrylic from Lucite MB (England) and contemporary tools (casting molds are created via 3D printing) make this possible. Because of the thick acrylic walls and strong reinforcing layer, the bowls are strong and long-lasting. About 25 series make up the model lineup, and among them are bathtubs with every extra feature that is currently available.

Experts and consumers agree that Czech products have the following advantages:

• price corresponds to product quality – pure acrylic models without bells and whistles can be bought for 10.0 thousand. rub., and with hydromassage and other features for 130.0-140.0 thousand. rub.;
• high quality. I especially like the manufacturer’s signature feature – the exclusively snow-white surface of the bowls;
• durability – warranty period 10 years;
• a wide range of.

There are also shortcomings:

• significant weight – about 20% heavier than competitors;
• sold without components and fasteners, and it is difficult to find (at least in Russia);
• there are a lot of fakes – you need to choose carefully so as not to buy a counterfeit.

Spain’s "ROCA GROUP" The "ROCA GROUP" (Spanish for "Roca Group") is a globally recognized brand. Approximately 170 countries on various continents of the world carry its products. The fact that the company owns production facilities in Russia has no bearing on the caliber of its output. Composite sheets from the Austrian business Senolast are used in the production of bowls, which has an impact on cost but is still accessible to the average consumer.

Among the additional benefits are:

• high quality reinforcement;
• long service life – the warranty is issued for up to 10 years, which is a lot for extrusive plumbing;
• a large model range (up to 200 options), which allows you to choose a hot tub to suit both the size of the bathroom and the taste of the owners;
• a variety of options for additional options.

Cons include:

• many fakes;
• creaking after installation (can be removed by lubricating the bathtub under the frame with silicone sealant).

Poland’s "CERSANIT GROUP" Together with the Russian and Romanian partners, the Polish company CERSANIT GROUP established a subsidiary in Russia. Die-cast acrylic is used to make products. features a stiff frame and a double bottom. Customers say that bathtubs have many benefits.

• reasonable price (40.0-60.0 thousand. rub.). At the same time, the ratio of cost and quality in the cast acrylic sector is the best (in other words: for the offered price it will not be possible to find a better similar model from other manufacturers);

• high wear resistance and reliability;
• large selection of models.

Among the flaws are:

• according to reviews on forums, you can find outright defects on sale (replacement is carried out without incident);
• Economy class bowls are not designed for obese people – they can crumble;
• limited number of additional options (the plunge pool cannot be a jacuzzi due to thin walls).

"System of Bath Acrylic" (Russian). Bath Acrylic System, a Russian company, uses Senosan composite sheets to make bathtubs that are sold under the BAS trademark. Among the beneficial products are:

• good quality (imported equipment is used);
• affordable price (can be bought for 6.0-45.0 thousand. rub.);

• wide range of models (more than 100 items);
• long warranty – 10 years.

Sadly, there are drawbacks as well:

• unpleasant odor (result of reinforcement with polyurethane resin and fiberglass);
• “clumsily” executed design of individual models;
• Possible defects detected during installation.

"TRITON" (Ukraine). The TRITON company manufactures items ranging from luxury bathtubs to bowls for the lowest class of consumers. Positive attributes of products include:

• good range of products;
• Each model has different sizes in length and depth;
• sufficient selection of corner models;
• the ability to equip the bath with additional options, including hydromassage;
• flexible pricing policy – there are good models at reasonable prices.

Among the flaws are:

• some models are not designed for heavy people;
• thin walls, which can be felt during water procedures.

The purchaser must choose which bathtubs from the aforementioned ratings to purchase. We also include a review of the listed manufacturers from consumers and experts to round out the picture (see table).

Table 1 lists the TOP 5 acrylic bathtub manufacturers.

Company	Expert rating out of 10 points	Customer rating out of 10 points
"ROCA GROUP" (Spain)	9.6	9.8
"Ravak" (Czech Republic)	9.2	9.5
"CERSANIT GROUP" (Poland)	8.7	9.4
"TRITON" (Russia)	7.2	7.2
"BAS" (Russia)	7.2	6.8

TOP acrylic bathtubs

Acrylic bathtub ratings are not the same as manufacturer ratings. The reason is that a lot of mid-sized businesses have very popular, high-quality models. Among them are:

"Slovenia’s Kolpa San Bell" E2. Cast acrylic built-in bathtub in a traditional rectangular design with standard dimensions. 52,000 rubles is the price.

The model offers several noteworthy benefits, including:

• Premium cast acrylic sheets are used for production;
• reinforced reinforcement;
• classic shapes in a modern style;
• comfortable depth;
• easy care – all dirt can be removed with special detergents without additional operations.

One minus: expensive.

"Riho Future" (Holland and the Czech Republic). Rectangular bathtub of standard size with fiberglass reinforcement. Because of its modern design, the model can be readily incorporated into the majority of interior spaces by designers. The price of the bowl is 25 000 rubles.

Among the benefits

• acceptable price;
• reinforced bottom;
• easy care;
• presence of a water sensor.

Cons include:

• high water consumption at an average depth (due to the width of 80 cm);
• no drain included – sold separately.

We can suggest the "Triton" Ultra 150 extruded acrylic model among the Russian models.

Among the models with advantages:

• possibility of installing a built-in mixer;
• durability – warranty period up to 10 years;
• low price.

Among the drawbacks mentioned by customers are the different kinds of small flaws and the absence of extra options, which are, incidentally, not part of the cost.

Feature	Considerations
Material Thickness	Thicker material provides better durability and heat retention.
Reinforcement	Look for additional fiberglass or resin layers for added strength.
Shape and Size	Choose a size and shape that fits your bathroom layout and meets your comfort needs.
Surface Finish	A smooth, glossy finish is easier to clean and maintain.
Installation Type	Decide between drop-in, alcove, or freestanding based on your bathroom design.
Brand and Warranty	Reputable brands often provide better quality and longer warranties.
Price	Consider your budget but remember that higher-priced options often offer better quality and features.

Achieving the ideal acrylic bathtub for your bathroom requires striking a balance between practicality and personal taste. Size, shape, and design are important considerations to make sure the bathtub fits properly in your bathroom and blends in with the decor.

The quality of the material is important because better-quality acrylic bathtubs are more resilient, hold heat better, and are stain- and scratch-resistant. The weight and simplicity of installation of the bathtub should also be taken into account, particularly if you intend to install it yourself.

Your bathing experience can be improved with features like non-slip surfaces, ergonomic designs, and extra accessories. You can find the bathtub that best fits your needs and budget by comparing these features across various models and brands.

To gain a better understanding of the bathtubs’ comfort and quality, don’t forget to read reviews and, if at all possible, see them in person. Your new acrylic bathtub can be a stylish and calming focal point in your bathroom for many years to come if you make the right choice.

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